Everyone says your whole life flashes before your eyes when you’re moments from death.
Yet my past—good and bad—seems to haunt me whenever I’m close to Bianca.
The tempting woman brings back the nightmares I want to keep buried. She’s bringing back to life the ruckus that disrupted my life seven years ago: the damn rush of forbidden and twisted feelings I fought with every fiber of my being.
Yet I still fell prey to them anyway.
The worst part is that she’s so beautifully unaware of the power she has over me that it makes me lose my carefully crafted control. I never once have, and yet she’s made me lose it twice already, like it’s a mere illusion.
It’s just like it was in the past where I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her whenever we were in the same room. Every time I walk away, I promise myself to stay away, only for me to pull her closer the next second.
I still have no intention of being her savior and becoming her fake husband, though.
After I had left that day, I researched her father and found everything she shared were true. The man is an old misogynistic prick who firmly believes a woman’s life isn’t complete until she’s married. I shouldn’t give two fucks about whether she finds a way out of the mess she’s in.
It’s a headache I don’t need.
Yet the thought of her asking another man has my vision going black.
“Why? There’s no one else on this floor.” Her nervous voice penetrates through my fog of fury, and I remember my command.
“Because I said so.” My voice is hard.
I wait for her defiance to surface but instead she disappoints me by doing as she is told. It’s not as much fun when she meekly obeys. I’ve always been addicted to her sass and fire, even while she dated Niall.
He always treated her like she was made of porcelain, and I hated when she let him.
Her inquisitive eyes take in my semi-furnished office while I admire her curves, especially her tits that shake even at the slightest movement. It seems my rejection stung her because she’s dressed like she makes me want to regret my decision.
Well, you came close, kitten.
When I saw her standing close to Justin and laughing with him, I wanted to pummel the man into the ground. At that moment, it didn’t matter if he was someone who’s been with me through thick and thin.
She stood beside him looking like a wet dream and when she touched him, it took years of restraint to not yank her to my side.
I swear, no other woman has made me insane with petty jealousy.
Except Bianca.
My beautiful kryptonite.
My gaze locks on her silky hair spilling down her back in rivulets as she walks. The sunlight makes her tresses almost appear brown. Unlike last time, she’s wearing a black pencil skirt with a silk blouse tucked inside. The material molds to her ample curves while showcasing her lean legs that look a mile long.
She’s a tiny little thing with her tight waist that flares into a bite-worthy ass. My hands itch to yank her close and bend her over my desk while she begs me to fuck her. Maybe then, I wouldn’t be so distracted if her scent marked my office.
Or it just might make everything worse.
“Is this the office you want me to design, Dash?”
“Mr. Stern.” She blinks rapidly when I correct her in a cold voice. I need to establish boundaries and curb my instincts to hold her every time she’s close. Leaning back in my chair, I explain, “I don’t allow my employees to call me by my first name.”
Her lips curl as she retorts, “But you can call me kitten?”
“You’re not the boss here, kitten. I am, and what I say goes.” I smirk as I rub my chin and quirk an eyebrow. “Besides, I didn’t think you would mind.”
“Well, I do.”
“I don’t care. Now take a seat.”
She doesn’t move right away in a show of defiance while I let her hold the illusion she has any control. I have learnt that this is her first solo project, so I already know she won’t break so easily and I watch as she steps forward and sits down.
She takes her time—not looking up—as she pulls out a few files from her bag and lays it on my desk methodically. Her long lashes blink twice before she raises her eyes to mine and speaks, “I’m not your employee, Mr. Stern. I’ll work with you, once you decide, and not for you. Better for you not to get any wrong ideas.”
All she makes me think of are bad ideas. The kind that destroys lives. Like messing up her red siren lips with my teeth.
Locking her away in a tower so no man can lay their eyes on her.
To make her mine.
“Do you talk back to all your clients?” I ask, instead of spilling my secrets.
“Just the ones who disrespect me,” she answers with an innocent smile.
I’m impressed by her confidence but that doesn’t mean I’ll let her get away with it. “If you want my respect, then start showing up on time and don’t flirt with my friends.”
Her eyes flare and she grits out, “I wasn’t flirting with Justin.”
“It didn’t look that way to me from the smile on your face and the close proximity between you two,” I growl, my calm vanishing. “Or were you asking him to be your fake husband after I said no?”
“Maybe I was, but guess what?” she sasses. “It’s none of your fucking business, Mr. Stern.”
“Then he better have said no, kitten,” I warn darkly. “Because you’re mistaken if you think I’m going to watch you parade around on his arm.”
“Try and stop me.”
“I’ll only say this once, so listen carefully.” I grunt, holding her defiant stare. “If I see you anywhere near Justin, I’ll tell your father the truth.”
“That’s it,” she grumbles, hastily standing up and stuffing her things into her bag. “No amount of money is worth this.”
Her hair flies as she whips around to leave, and I bark harshly, “Take one more step and I’ll call your boss. I wonder what she’ll think when I tell her that you go around propositioning your wealthy clients for marriage.”
She halts while a shiver races down her spine. It’s obviously laced with tension. Her small fists clench by her sides as she whirls around and glares. “You’re such a fucking asshole, Dash. My life is not your playground for your threatening games. Go get your kicks somewhere else.”
Her chest heaves with exertion once she stops her rant and stomps her foot while anger pinches her features. My dick chooses this moment to harden at the display of her emotion like a sick fuck. My mind, on the other hand, screams she’s never looked more beautiful.
Thankfully, she isn’t privy to my thoughts.
It’ll only piss her off more.
“Stay away from Justin and my threats go away,” I order, my tone nonnegotiable. “Don’t get fooled by his charm, Bianca. It’s a smokescreen to hide his own baggage. Do you understand me?’
My eyes narrow when a little Cheshire cat-like smile graces her lips and she covers the distance between us, the expression on her face nothing less than smugness and mischievousness. I don’t visibly react as she puts her hands on my desk and leans forward, giving me a sexy view of her cleavage.
“Are you jealous, Dash?” she taunts sweetly.
The boldness in her tone like she knows she found my weakness—which I hate—maddens me. I may be jealous but I’ll be damned if I give her the satisfaction of knowing that.
“I already fucked you, kitten.” I smile when her cocky one vanishes but I’m not done. “I don’t do repeats, so don’t consider yourself special just because I took your virginity.”
She flinches slightly and if I wasn’t watching her so closely, I wouldn’t have noticed. I give her a minute to gather her emotions while silently seething at me.
“Justin was right,” she says. “You are a moody bastard. And just so you know, I never considered myself as special because for that, I would have to think of you, which I’ve never done. If I could erase that night, I would.”
So would I, but not for the reasons she wants to.
“If you’re done with your tantrum, Miss Chopra,” I drawl, “I would like to discuss the actual topic of this meeting.”
“Fine.”
“You have ten minutes to impress me.”
“What? The meeting was set for a whole hour,” she mumbles.
“More than half of which you wasted already.” I check my watch before reminding her, “Nine minutes before my next appointment arrives.”
I arch my brow expectantly and she rushes to open her notebook to take down notes before questioning, “Can you tell me how many offices you want to have interior work done to and do you have a specific vision in mind?”
“I want you to design all the executive personnel offices on this floor. The basic theme and the structure should remain common while the rest you can do as per their choice. I’ll set up a meeting with each of them so you can discuss the details.”
“What about you? Do you have a preferred style?”
“Yes, my assistant will share the pictures of my office at my headquarters so you can design this one similarly. I like it as it is. Though I have a few custom art pieces being delivered soon which I want here.”
She frowns, her pen pausing over her notebook, before she probes, “You don’t want to change anything at all?”
“No. I like everything a certain way.”
“Okay.”
Bianca’s professional side surprises me in the best way possible and I’m fascinated with the passion and enthusiasm I see and feel in her voice as she continues her consultation. She doesn’t even realize the ten minutes are up and I don’t stop her, too consumed in listening to her.
My previous interior designer, who had more experience than her, didn’t go into as much depth as she is. There’s patience and eagerness in her attitude as she continues to talk.
She doesn’t let our earlier conversation make things awkward and I like that she can keep business and pleasure separate.
“Do you have a budget?” she finally asks, staring up at me.
“Yes. I’ll send over the details as soon as you leave.”
Closing her notebook, she gathers her files as she smiles and nods. “Perfect. I’ll set up another appointment to show the renderings. If you think we’re a good match and say yes, I’ll send over the contract to begin our work.”
“I’ve already decided. You’re hired, Bianca.”
Her whole face lights up in happiness like she didn’t expect it. I’ve always been a good judge of character, especially when I’m hiring, and I know without a doubt she’s perfect for the job.
“Really? I thought for sure you’ll say no just to piss me off.”
“I don’t let my personal feelings get in the way of a good business deal.”
“Well, thank you.” Her tone holds surprise.
“Besides, I have other fun ways to make you mad.”
She rolls her eyes and stands, bending down to pick up her bag. I rise from my chair and round my desk, making her look up when I come to stand beside her. My gaze is drawn to her mouth when her tongue sneaks out to lick her bottom lip.
So goddamn irresistible.
Because she doesn’t even realize her teasing gestures, her unawareness is a turn-on.
I shove my hands inside my pockets before I lose the fight and grab her, “I’ll walk you out.”
Her addictive scent hits my nostrils, almost drowning me as she turns to stride toward the door. I don’t miss her slight intake of breath and the shiver down her spine when I follow close behind.
We’re at the door when I crowd her against it by grabbing the knob before she can. I don’t dare to touch her soft skin at the nape of her neck when she shifts, head twisting to the side. Electricity thrums between us and I know she can feel it too.
The memory of us standing just like this years ago flits through my mind.
Our chemistry was unmistakable back then as well.
Just not this strong and naked.
“Dash,” she whispers like she’s remembering it too.
I lower my mouth to her ear and growl darkly, “Stay away from Justin, kitten. I mean it.”
